A North Carolina high school allowed a male student charged with sexual assault to continue playing football while suspending three female athletes who organized a walkout in protest.
On October 1, students staged an all-day walkout in support of women’s safety after the school allowed a male football to continue playing after being charged with a felony that is sexual in nature. Despite being peaceful in nature, Sereniti Simpson and two other volleyball players were suspended.
“I went to practice on Monday, to which our coach went on about how disappointed she was in the girls who were there,” Simpson told Fox46. “She went on to say we have no right to interrupt a school day.”
The volleyball players were suspended for one game, while the student accused of sexually assaulting another student on Olympic High School’s campus could play football. According to the students, coaches helped the boy cover up his ankle monitor so it wouldn’t be seen.
“If you get your phone taken in class, you’re benched, but yet he can be under investigation for a sexual crime and still get to play on Friday; that is ridiculous,” Simpson told WCNC.
According to school officials, the walkout was not sanctioned by the district. A separate indoor demonstration to take place in the school’s gym had been planned.
As a result of how the school has handled the incident, Simpson decided not to stay on the volleyball team. Simpson says she does not regret any of her actions and will continue to raise awareness.
However, the Charlotte-Mecklenburg Schools has changed its Code of Conduct handbook for the 2021-2022 school year. It now states that a student who is “convicted of a crime classified as a felony under North Carolina or federal law … is not eligible to participate in the North Carolina High School Athletic Association’s sports program.”
The 15-year-old football player in question has been charged with attempted second-degree rape, second-degree kidnapping, and sexual battery.
